ES2232987T3 - PROCESS TO DISINFECT AND DEODORIZE COMPARTMENTS, A MECHANISM AND COMPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT THE PROCESS. - Google Patents

Abstract

A device and a process for disinfecting and/or deodorising a compartment in need of disinfection and/or deodorisation, especially if in contact with waste material, comprises a disinfecting tank (7) communicating with a pump to spray a disinfecting liquid from a disinfecting tank through at least one nebulizing nozzle (13). For disinfecting and deodorising receptacles, particularly wheeled containers, e.g. on lorries (1), there is a separate deodorising tank and program means for controlling supply of liquid from only one of said tanks at a time in at least two distinct phases in succession. Disinfecting and/or deodorising liquid is drawn from either one of said tanks and supplied to one or more nebulizing nozzles (13,15) to allow internal and or external disinfection of said compartment, especially of a waste bin immediately after unloading into a container of a lorry. The device and/or the compartment may comprise control means for spraying the liquid in predetermined intervals and during predetermined periods. <IMAGE>

Description

Process to disinfect and deodorize compartments, a mechanism and compartment to carry out the process.

This invention is related to a process to disinfect and / or deodorize spaces in need of disinfection and / or deodorization - especially when they are in contact with waste material - by spraying through a nebulizer of a disinfectant liquid from a tank disinfectant liquid container and a mechanism to carry out the process The invention is also related to a enclosed space or compartment where the process can be taken to out, as well as to a garbage container which requires deodorization

Waste material handling, such as Produced in cities and hospitals, it is hard work. For this reason, this is frequently done by a team of people of different nationality, educated according to different patterns of civic behavior. The performance of such work must be carried out nevertheless carefully, observing the hygiene conditions This is especially necessary when Infectious diseases can spread carelessly. It has been seen that a mechanism like the one revealed in EP-A-0 848 999 is particularly appropriate to prevent the spread of such diseases. Without However, although a disinfectant liquid also acts as deodorizing through the elimination of foul odors bacteria producers, it is true that a closed space (in the broadest sense of the word) in contact with material from waste tends to emit bad odors, even after being disinfected; for example garbage cans, especially after have been emptied, or some public services where a liquid disinfectant is automatically sprayed after closing the door.

It is known, by the US patent 4,211,745, the spray that sprays an insecticide, a deodorizer and a antioxidant lubricant substance inside a container only when it has been emptied, and before it touches the ground.

It is known, by the patent application British 2,251,781 a garbage can incorporating an apparatus deodorizer to sprinkle a deodorizing powder only when the lid moves from an opening position to a position of closed.

Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to improve said situation. Another objective of the it is to solve the sanitation (and / or deodorization, which does not is normally done) from a garbage can immediately after emptying as well as disinfecting and deodorizing its part external and / or the area of its original position. It is also the objective of the invention provide an automatic deodorization operation and sanitation.

As a first step, the invention takes into account that the disinfection of the space where the bad smells are Develop is not enough. This is partly because certain Liquid disinfectants cannot be used in public (or in places accessible to the public) because they can be harmful to people. In addition, the most potent disinfectant agents can Have an unpleasant smell. The development of bad smells can be also be due to the fact that its precise origin may not be located. Even the place where the garbage can is placed by Long time may emit a certain smell not that is not desired.

The purpose of the invention is achieved by its characteristics, which are described in the characterizing part of independent claims; developments and improvements of the invention are characterized in the claims Dependents

In a representation, the invention consists of that at least a second phase of disinfection and / or deodorization is carried out. The subdivision of disinfection into at least Two phases, provide more lasting or wider liquid action disinfectant, redoubling the effectiveness. It is also possible to subdivide the process in such a way that disinfection is perform first (that is, for the strongest disinfectant agent) and the second step is directed more towards deodorization, thus eliminated those odors that originate from the disinfectant liquid.

To facilitate the work and to enhance the hygienic conditions, a mechanism that has the features of claim 3 may be provided of according to the invention. Although the problem will be described in a context of waste generated in urban societies, for example a garbage container, similar problems may occur in the compartment of, for example, an ambulance, which constitutes a defined and closed space - in which bad smells can occur or infected areas - and has at least one door as an element of enclosure. Also in operating rooms and other rooms hospital, hospital and prison rooms, waiting rooms, etc. you may also need, more or less frequently, a disinfection and deodorization treatment. The same can be said of cars, buses, coaches, trains, suburban trains and trams, military vehicles, tanks, and aerial means, such as helicopters, also boats, boats and yachts, which can be disinfected and / or deodorized occasionally or even regularly, according to its use. A specific application are the rooms of bathroom, especially public or transportable. Other Application consists of kitchens and cooker hoods, ducts air, etc.

The details of the solutions offered by the This invention can be seen thanks to the following description of the representations, schematically shown in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a truck to transport garbage or other waste in urban areas in a container according to the representation of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal view of the line II-II of Fig. 1 when the garbage container It is being emptied;

Fig. 3 is a front view of a container of appropriate garbage according to the present invention; Y

Fig. 4 is a side view of a container of garbage according to Fig. 3.

According to Fig. 1, a truck carries a Garbage container 4 of any known type. The container it has a loading opening 1a through which it can the waste material is introduced. The loading procedure of waste material 5 in container 4 can best be seen in Fig. 2, where a garbage container 3 is lifted thanks to a mechanism known, operated by liquid pressure and that does not need to be described in detail here. It is only mentioned that said mechanism It comprises two lower arms 2.

Truck 1 differs from any other construction known for having a built-in tank 6 which is divided into two different and separate compartments, this it is a first compartment of tank 7 that contains a liquid disinfectant 8, and a second tank compartment 9 that contains a deodorizing liquid 10.

A hydraulic pump 11 is incorporated into the tank compartment 7 containing the disinfectant liquid 8. Said pump, when actuated, distributes the liquid 8 under pressure through a first conductor system 17 towards a first sprinkler 13 inside the container 4 as well as towards a second sprinkler 15 placed outside container 4.

A hydraulic pump 12 is incorporated into the tank compartment 9 containing deodorizing liquid 10. Said pump, when actuated, distributes the liquid 10 under pressure through a second duct system 18 towards a first sprinkler 14 inside the container 4 as well as towards a second sprinkler 16 placed outside the container 4.

Instead of the roof of the truck cab, such and as shown in Fig. 1, pumps 11 and 12, together with the respective tanks 7 and 9, can be placed alternately under the chassis, as indicated by the reference sign PT in Fig. 1, or elsewhere (not shown) of the truck.

It will be understood that the present invention is not restricts only to the previous provision, although the separation of conductive systems 17 and 18 is preferred. For a container of garbage, and in certain circumstances, only one is desirable deodorization However, and if required, as preferred, disinfection and deodorization, it is conceivable to have a system common conductor in which the pressure is generated, if desired, even for a single pump, while the distribution of Liquids are controlled by valves. In addition, it may be possible incorporate non-return valves 19 in the ducts, although this it will not be generally necessary if both systems 17 and 18 are They are strictly separated. Pumps 11 and 12 can be of any type and can be replaced by any mechanism capable of generating pressure, such as an injector, a bellows arrangement etc. Instead of having only a 13 or 14 sprinkler on the inside and outside 15 or 16 assigned to the respective conductive system 17 or 18, a plurality of sprinklers could be used, although one has proved sufficient for each application.

According to one of the representations of the invention, the performance of work according to the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2 during two successive and distinguishable phases It has advantages. The phases could, in principle, be taken to manually, by activating the corresponding switches manuals However, it is preferable to automate the succession of these phases using a programmed control, as will be seen in the following description of one of the operation cycles.

In the first phase, the garbage container 3 is discharged and emptied, as shown in Fig. 2. The solid waste 5 falls inside the container 4. Upon completion, a part 2a of the cam mechanism 3 ( compare Figs. 1 and 2) can be mechanically connected to an initial switch S to start the program. This program is stored in a memory m and can be read by a micro-processor, which is connected to a power source, such as a rechargeable battery B, through the switch
S.

The start of memory program m provides energy to the pump 11 through a mechanism or control phase C. Thus, the pump 11 extracts disinfectant liquid 8 from the tank compartment 7 and distributes it through a duct 17, for example by a flexible pipe or sleeve, to the internal sprinkler 13 and to the external sprinkler 15. Thus, and as shown in Fig. 2, the inside the garbage container 3 is disinfected by the sprinkler 13, while sprinkler 15 sprays the disinfectant liquid 8 a an area where said garbage container 3 has to be placed and / or the outer walls of the container 3, as shown in the Fig. 2. Thus, the interior of the garbage container 3, the which is in continuous contact with the collection operators of garbage, is completely disinfected. At the same time, both the area where said container 3 has to be (or was) placed and / or the external walls of the container 3 are also disinfected, so that any risk of infection is prevented.

Certainly, the disinfectant liquid will serve to prevent the development of odors, because bacteria are removed. However, it is useful to deodorize the sites where such Smells have already developed. Once finished, a second phase The process according to the invention starts.

This second phase immediately follows the first and includes the activation of the pump 12 of the tank 9 for sprinkle deodorizing liquid 10. Deodorizing liquid can be properly introduced through the system separated from ducts 18 towards sprinklers 14 and 16. Thus, the interior of the garbage container 4 is deodorized so that odors to a lesser extent affect the operators of the truck, while at at the same time the area around container 3 is deodorized, which which prevents the formation of bad odors that can disturb the people who pass by.

In an alternative procedure, spraying external and internal is done separately in two steps consecutive, although simultaneous external and internal spraying is the favorite.

It is clear that the time of the two phases above mentioned could be controlled so that they have one more Long or shorter duration depending on the circumstances. Therefore, the circuit may incorporate an adjustment mechanism, such as a knob 31, to adjust both the type of the first phase and the time of the second or both.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the external sprinklers 15 and 16 can be placed in mechanical arms 2, which ensure the elevation and replacement of the garbage container 3. Alternatively they can be placed in separate arms that can be oriented in a desired direction, that is, more towards above, as indicated in Fig. 2 (see sprinkler 15) or more down (see sprinkler 16).

Additionally or alternatively, the container of Trash 3 can be constructed as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. According to this representation, it is possible to eliminate odors from the garbage container 3, which can be done by absorbing the same and / or by disinfection or deodorization of the interior. So, absorption could be done by having a side compartment and / or in the base containing active carbon or other material absorbent.

According to Fig. 3, the garbage can it comprises a receptacle or a compartment 22 that is closed by a cover or cover 23. The cover oscillates on two axes 36, 37, as is known, to move from an open position, shown in Fig. 3, to a closed position, shown in Fig. 4. Under the compartment 22 there is a separating wall 22a that divide a space in the tank 24 'to accommodate a liquid deodorizer 24. If a liquid absorbent material is used in instead of liquid 24, the separating wall 22a could be Perforated.

A pump 25 communicates with the space in the 24 'tank and its liquid 24, as shown. Pump 25 is controlled and activated by an electrical circuit 28 whose energy comes from a rechargeable battery 29. Additionally, or as alternatively, the cover 23 can have incorporated panels solar 30 to provide electric power, whether open, as shown in the representation, and even in its position closed, as long as panels 30 are placed outside the container 3.

The pump 25 is capable of placing the liquid in the tank under pressure and distributing it through a conduit 27 (or a plurality of conduits) to at least one or, preferably, several sprinklers 26 at the top of the garbage container 3 or, preferably, at the edge thereof. If so desired, an opening can be incorporated into the base of the separating wall 22a to evacuate the liquid sprayed by the sprinklers 26, preferably directed inwards, although optionally it can be directed towards the external walls. Alternatively, exterior sprinklers can also be incorporated. Instead of having an opening near the separating wall 22a, it might also be possible to have a closed compartment 22, to empty the liquid together with the waste material contained in the
same.

As before, the pump can be replaced by other equipment, capable of generating pressure. In addition, the 24 'tank compartment can be placed on any wall of the container 3. It can even be accommodated inside the cover 23 either externally or internally. In addition, the tank can be subdivided (as in the case of tank compartments 7, 9 from Fig. 1) to accommodate two different liquids, such as deodorizing liquid and disinfectant liquid, to be distributed either by two separate conductor systems or by only one common.

As shown, solar panels 30 feed With its energy the rechargeable battery 29 in a known way. The panels 30 can also be separated by container 3, but in electrical contact with the battery 29. Alternatively, the container 3 has a connection to recharge battery 29 or Provide enough power from an external network.

Preferably, a sensor-switch 32 (or a sensor of any type) is incorporated to measure the position of the cover 23. When the cover is open 23 (fig. 3), it is not desirable that the sprinklers are spraying. Therefore, when the sensor-switch 32 is operated (Fig. 3), a electrical circuit 28 that controls pump 25 is interrupted. Without However, when switch 32 is closed (Fig. 4), at least one timer 33 is activated and causes pump 25 to activate in predetermined intervals or periods, preferably adjusted by a command 34 for intervals, and another for periods 35.

From the previous description, it can be seen clearly that the complete arrangement, comprising the tanks and pumps, ducts and non-return valves, sensor and timers, power lines and batteries etc. They could be manufactured in a separate batch to be installed either inside or outside of any compartment that, according to the invention needs to be sanitized and / or deodorized, such as the container 4 of truck 1 or container 3 according to Figs. 3 and 4, thus forming a device independent of disinfection and / or deodorization.

Within the context of the present invention numerous modifications can be made, for example they could be used two separate tanks 7, 9 instead of having compartments separated within a common tank 6 which is, however, favorite. In a simplified representation, only sprinklers internal 13, 14 or at least one of them could be used, although it may also be possible to use sprinklers only external 15, 16. Sprinklers 13 to 16 could move, to perform disinfection and / or external and internal deodorization by a sprinkler or by two separate sprinklers.

On the other hand, disinfection or deodorization It can be done in several steps, successive or simultaneous, by example, first disinfecting the external or internal part, and then deodorizing them so that the process is carried out by Less in four steps.

Claims (7)

1. Procedure to disinfect and / or deodorize a closed space or container, in a first phase by spraying, for a certain time, liquid from a tank containing disinfectant liquid and deodorizing liquid from a tank containing deodorizing liquid, preferably after it has been closed ; characterized in that a second step is carried out simultaneously or consecutively, consisting of one of the following groups of actions: - spray of disinfectant liquid and / or deodorizer on the outside of said enclosed space or container; - spray of disinfectant liquid and / or deodorizer in an area where said enclosed space or container is placed. 2. Method according to claim 1, for disinfecting a garbage container, whereby the garbage container is unloaded into the container of a truck, and then closed, if so desired, by placing a lid covering its opening, characterized by the simultaneous or successive realization of at least two of the following steps: a) the removal of disinfectant liquid from a tank with disinfectant liquid by a pump and spray same a3) through a second or third sprinkler or nebulizer over the external area where said garbage container it is placed normally; b) the extraction of deodorizing liquid from a tank with deodorizing liquid by a pump and sprinkling of the same b2) through a second or separate sprinkler or nebulizer on the outside of the garbage container; b3) through a second or third sprinkler or nebulizer over the external area where said garbage container It is placed normally. 3. Mechanism to disinfect and / or deodorize the area corresponding to the garbage container and the container of a truck comprising a tank with disinfectant liquid (7), communicated with a pump (11) to spray the disinfectant liquid (8) of the tank with disinfectant liquid (7) through at least one sprinkler or nebulizer (13, 15) communicated with a duct (17), characterized in that both the tank with disinfectant liquid and the tank with deodorizing liquid (7, 9) -preferably to two separate compartments of the same tank or container (6) - they are incorporated into or in an external installation adjacent to the container of the truck, and because they incorporate programs (u, m) to control simultaneously or successively the distribution of the liquid of each one of said tanks (7, 9), for which a pump is used, preferably separated (12) and / or a separate sprinkler or nebulizer (14, 16), which are assigned and communicated exclusively with said tank with deodorizing liquid (9) through a deodorizing duct (18), and optionally through a non-return valve (19). 4. Mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises any of the following characteristics: a) timers (33) for spraying liquid in predetermined intervals and during predetermined periods, in where preferably any of said intervals and periods may be regulated by adjustment controls (34, 35); b) sensors (32) for at least one of the positions of the enclosure element (23), so that in opening position of said enclosure element (23) can interrupt the distribution of the liquid. 5. Mechanism according to claim 3 or 4, for disinfecting and / or deodorizing a garbage container (3), characterized in that said installation external to the garbage container (3) is a mobile container, such as a truck (1) and that said tank (7, 9) containing disinfectant liquid and / or deodorizing liquid (8, 10) are respectively in communication with at least one sprinkler or nebulizer (13, 14), for disinfection and / or internal deodorization of the garbage container (3), as well as with at least one sprinkler or nebulizer (15, 16) for the disinfection and / or external deodorization of the garbage container (3) and / or the area where the garbage container (3) is normally placed. A mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that a nebulizer sprinkler (14) for internal deodorization is placed inside the truck container (4) and is directed towards the interior of the truck container (4), while, at less, a nebulizer sprinkler (15, 16) for external disinfection and / or deodorization is placed on a mechanical lifting arm (2) disposed outside said truck container (4), said nebulizer sprinkler (s) ( is) (15, 16) directed (s) towards the base of said garbage container (3) and / or towards said external area where it is normally placed. 7. A garbage container that is periodically deodorized, in which, at least, on one of its sides there is a space (24 ') containing a liquid or solid deodorizing agent (24). Said space (24 ') is separated from the inner compartment (22) of the garbage container (3) by a dividing wall (22a) which, in the case of solid deodorizing agents - is perforated, characterized in that it comprises at least one of the following characteristics: a) at least one nebulizer sprinkler (26) is placed on top of said compartment (22) and / or in said enclosure element (23); b) at least one sprinkler or nebulizer (26) is placed outside said compartment to spray the liquid on, at least one of the outer sides of said compartment (22); c) timers (33) for spraying liquid in predetermined intervals and during predetermined periods, in where preferably any of said intervals and periods may be regulated by adjustment controls (34, 35); d) sensors (32) for at least one of the positions of the enclosure element (23), so that in opening position of said enclosure element (23) can interrupt the distribution of the liquid; e) means for odor elimination (24-35), for example an absorbent agent or mechanism for absorption; f) at least one electrically operated mechanism, as a pump (25); g) means to provide a current electric, such as a rechargeable battery (29) and / or a power panel solar (30).